What does Janie’s decision to shoot Tea Cake in "Their Eyes Were Watching God" symbolize?

Janie's decision to shoot Tea Cake serves as a powerful symbol of her determination to take control of her own destiny. Throughout "Their Eyes Were Watching God," Janie seeks autonomy and self-discovery, often in the face of societal expectations and personal turmoil. By taking such a drastic action, she asserts her agency in a moment of desperation, recognizing that her choices, even the difficult ones, define her path.

In this context, the act of shooting Tea Cake can be seen as a culmination of Janie's journey toward self-empowerment. Despite the tragic circumstances that lead to this moment, her decision underscores her unwillingness to be victimized by fate or circumstance; instead, she chooses to act. This underscores a crucial theme of the novel: the struggle for one's identity and the pursuit of genuine love and connection on one's own terms. Janie's choice embodies the complexity of love, loss, and the agency she claims over her own life narrative.